Jagger's bandmates offer support

The Rolling Stones are offering support to Sir Mick Jagger following the death of his girlfriend L'Wren Scott.

The Stones cancelled their seven-date tour of Australia and New Zealand following the fashion designer and celebrity stylist's apparent suicide in New York City on March 17.

Keith Richards said in a statement that "no one saw this coming" and that Sir Mick has "always been my soul brother and we love him".

"We're thick as thieves and we're all feeling for the man," he added.

Charlie Watts said the band's priority is the 70-year-old frontman.

"Needless to say we are all completely shocked but our first thought is to support Mick at this awful time," he said. "We intend to come back to Australia and New Zealand as soon as it proves possible."

Ronnie Wood echoed Charlie's statement. "This is such terrible news and right now the important thing is that we are all pulling together to offer Mick our support and help him through this sad time," he said. "Without a doubt we intend to be back out on that stage as soon as we can."

Scott had been Sir Mick's companion since 2001.

The Rolling Stones frontman has paid tribute to his girlfriend on his Facebook page writing: "I will never forget her."

"I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way. We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves. She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me," he went on.